Fox Sets Judges For New Diverse Writers Program

Fox TV and film writers, producers and executives have signed on to judge submissions for the Fox Writer’s Intensive, the new initiative for experienced writers with diverse background, ethnic minorities as well as LGBT, foreign-born, etc. Fox received several hundred submissions for the program by the November 9 deadline. Participating organization Film Independent is currently reviewing all of them and will present 20-30 finalists to Fox. The judges will select 10 scripts whose writers will enter the program. (The winners expected to be announced in the next few weeks.) The list of judges include: Carla Kettner (EP, Bones), Heather Mitchell (Supervising Producer, Scandal), Matt Olmstead (EP, Breakout Kings), Missy Alexander (Producer, How I Met Your Mother), Gina Prince-Bythewood (Writer/Producer, The Secret Life of Bees), Lisa Cortes (Writer, EP, Precious), Charles Wright (Playwright/Director, Ruined), Attica Locke (Novelist, Black Water Rising), Suzanne DePasse (Producer, Sister, Sister), David Engel (Producer, The Walking Dead), Matthew Greenfield (SVP, Production, Fox Searchlight), Nancy Utley (President, Marketing, Fox Searchlight), Michael Morrison (President, Harper Collins), Marcy Ross (EVP, Current, FBC), Jane Francis (SVP, Fox21), Dana Honor (VP, Comedy Development), 20th, Karen Toliver (VP Production, Fox Animation), Charlie Andrews (VP, Development Drama, FBC), Shana Waterman (VP, Current, FBC), Grant Gish (Director, Animation 20th) and Samata Narra (Director, Development Comedy, FBC). Some of the judging writers/producers/executives are also expected to be involved in the 10 participants’ four-month curriculum focused on 1) developing original material, 2) learning and honing writing skills for multiple mediums, and 3) exploring the business of media and entertainment. At the end of the four months, Fox will select one participant as Fox Writer’s Intensive Fellow, who will get one-on-one meetings with network and studio heads as well as priority staffing opportunities across all Fox divisions. In addition, Fox commits to buying and developing the winning participant’s original submission. As for the others, Fox will also look to staff them, and the company will have first look on their original scripts.